WORSHIP THROUGH OFFERING: RIGHT MINDSET AND ACTION - Pastor Thuamminlian Guite
One of the very basic foundations of Christianity, the birth of Jesus Christ and the act of His saving through His death starts with a gift; the gift of eternal redemption.
When we talk about giving, it is important to retrospect ourselves on our mindset and attitude. Attuned with the right mindset and attitude is also important the right action. 2 Samuel 24:1 starts with this, “Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and He incited David against them...” Reading this together with 1 Chronicles 21 and Exodus 30, we can infer that God was angry towards David because He conducted a census. But a deeper study further reveals that God was not angered against the act of taking the census but the way the census was taken. A reading of the book of Exodus chapter 30 mentioned the guidelines on how the census of the Israelites was to be taken. David fail to follow the guidelines set by God and this cost him and the people of Israel dearly, leading to the death of 70,000 men (2 Samuel 24:15). The right mindset as well as action, which are pleasing in the eyes of the Lord, is important while bringing our offerings to Him.
THREE IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF GIVING:
1. We give what God has given us (1 Chronicles 29: 1-19)
If we read this chapter, we will see that David with his son, Solomon was preparing to build a temple for God. He has assembled all the materials required for the construction of the temple with offerings from the people of Israelites (1 Chronicles 29: 1-19). Then David said, “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you” (1 Chronicles 29:14). This verse is a clear indication that David is crystal clear on where the offerings come from. He is humbled and overjoyed for he knew that all things that he had given came from the Lord. While giving to God we should like David remember that what we have given is not our own, but of the Lord’s. With this mindset, we will be able to offer willingly and with a whole heart.
2. God has given us first (2 Corinthians 9:15; Ephesians 1:3)
When we talk about God’s blessing and give thanks to Him, we center our gratitude towards the earthly blessings and forget the spiritual blessings. 2 Corinthians 9:15 says, “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” And Ephesians 1:3 reads, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessings in heavenly places.” We have to be thankful for the gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit and of eternal redemption. It is not us who has given God but it is God who has given us first.
3. Do not give with the expectation of being repaid (Romans 11:33-35)
In worldly administrative dealings, we try to entice people in power by giving them bribe with the expectation that they will favor you. It is easy to have this mindset while giving to God. In a Christian act of giving, we should not give with the expectation that God will reward you manifold. We are promised that we will be repaid in full. But when we give with this expectation alone, we are trying to bribe God. God loves the willful giver, who gives it with his whole heart.
Order of Service :: DEW | April 07, 2019
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